是STAGE 1
Introducing with 是
Subject + 是 + noun我是越南人。Wǒ shì Yuènán rén.
I am Vietnamese.
是 links a subject to a noun identifying it. Do not add 是 before an ordinary descriptive adjective.
Practice this pattern120 GRAMMAR PATTERNS · CLEAR EXPLANATIONS
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吗STAGE 1
Yes–no questions
Statement + 吗你是学生吗？Nǐ shì xuésheng ma?
Are you a student?
Keep statement word order and add 吗 at the end. Do not add it when the sentence already has a question word.
Practice this pattern不STAGE 1
Negation with 不
Subject + 不 + verb / adjective我不喝咖啡。Wǒ bù hē kāfēi.
I do not drink coffee.
不 usually negates habits, intentions, or states. Negating a completed event usually requires 没.
Practice this pattern呢STAGE 1
Asking in return with 呢
Topic + 呢我很好，你呢？Wǒ hěn hǎo, nǐ ne?
I am well. How about you?
呢 asks about a topic already clear from context. It cannot replace 吗 in every question.
Practice this pattern叫STAGE 1
Saying your name
Subject + 叫 + name我叫小明。Wǒ jiào Xiǎomíng.
My name is Xiaoming.
Use 叫 for a personal name. Questions about a surname use 贵姓 or 姓什么, depending on politeness.
Practice this pattern的STAGE 1
Possession with 的
Possessor + 的 + noun这是我的书。Zhè shì wǒ de shū.
This is my book.
的 connects a possessor and a noun. It may be omitted in close relationships such as 我妈妈, but not arbitrarily.
Practice this pattern有STAGE 1
Having and not having
Subject + 有 + object我有一个姐姐。Wǒ yǒu yí ge jiějie.
I have an older sister.
Negate 有 with 没有, never 不有. The spoken tone of 一 can change within a phrase.
Practice this pattern几STAGE 1
Asking about a small quantity
几 + measure word + noun你有几本书？Nǐ yǒu jǐ běn shū?
How many books do you have?
几 generally asks about an expected small quantity. Use the appropriate measure word.
Practice this pattern谁STAGE 1
Asking who
谁 in the position of the unknown person谁是你的老师？Shéi shì nǐ de lǎoshī?
Who is your teacher?
Keep the question word where the missing information belongs. Both shéi and shuí are accepted readings of 谁.
Practice this pattern哪STAGE 1
Asking which
哪 + measure word + noun你喜欢哪本书？Nǐ xǐhuan nǎ běn shū?
Which book do you like?
哪 asks for a choice. Distinguish 哪 nǎ from 那 nà, meaning “that”.
Practice this pattern多少STAGE 1
Asking how much
Noun / topic + 多少这个苹果多少钱？Zhège píngguǒ duōshao qián?
How much is this apple?
多少 asks about quantity or price. In price questions, 钱 can immediately follow 多少.
Practice this pattern很STAGE 1
Describing a quality
Subject + 很 + adjective今天的天气很好。Jīntiān de tiānqì hěn hǎo.
The weather is nice today.
很 often links a subject and adjective without strongly meaning “very”. Do not add 是 before 很好.
Practice this pattern1/10 · 120 patterns
Original Mandarin Sprout content; stages are not certified as equivalent to HSK levels. Examples support structured practice, not every natural way to express an idea.